As students who frequent the Physical Sciences Library, we would like to express our disapproval of the University's decision to close this important campus library.
The PSL may not boast the foot traffic of Olin, Mann or Uris library, but for a solid core of students, the PSL is a convenient location for quiet study and group collaboration. Clark Hall, Baker Labs and Rockefeller Hall represent an island science complex isolated from the campus at large by hills, parking lots, and a massive construction site. The PSL remains our only large, comfortable, quiet study environment for the students who practically live in this complex.
We understand the cuts need to come from somewhere, but we see this decision as a direct assault on the undergraduate population of the physical sciences. Researchers, faculty, and students will find the diffusion of the libraries book collection more than just a minor inconvenience, as it houses an exclusive collection of course reserves and references that the physical sciences population finds invaluable. Eliminating public computers and a primary quiet study space from the complex will have major negative consequences for the undergraduates. We are serious students grateful for the resources we've been afforded, but this decision has left us wondering if the university views our presence on campus merely as a revenue stream for research and institutional aggrandizement.
The lack of communication throughout the university regarding this closure also has us very concerned. No one, including students working at the PSL, was made aware of this decision until a Sun reporter came through last night asking for our personal reactions. Most of us were still unaware of this decision until we glanced at the Sun today. No explanation of the costs involved was given to us, nor was there any attempt to explain why this particular library branch was so vulnerable to cuts. What a terrible way to go about making these decisions.
In the future, we would appreciate a voice in these decisions that directly affect us. We are well aware of the financial constraints of the University, but back-door deals and hushed decision making is not the sort of conduct we expect from a world class research institution.
I spent all morning walking through the stacks and it is heartbreaking to think about these shelves being cleared out. Most of you have been sending me messages about how essential this quiet space is for your late nights in the lab and I am compiling those stories to show the administration exactly what they are taking away.
March 25, 2009
Seeing this much support confirms that I am not the only one who feels abandoned by this move. It validates the quiet nights we spent in those stacks and proves our community values the space we built there.
Reached 100 supporters
March 25, 2009
6 Comments
M
Mike Lee
17 years ago
Featured
Ridiculous decision. We spend all our time in Clark and now we have to trek across campus just to find a desk? Fix this.
S
Sarah Brooks
17 years ago
Featured
This library is literally the only place I can actually get work done between labs. Please dont take this away from us.
D
David Petersen
17 years ago
Featured
The administration is totally out of touch with what we actually need. Stop cutting the basics.
J
Jessica Newman
17 years ago
Featured
so many late nights spent here. its quiet and perfect for studying for pchem. keep it open!!
J
Jason Okafor
17 years ago
Featured
bad choice. leave the psl alone.
E
Emily Carter
17 years ago
Featured
I dont get it. They build all this construction and then close the one place we have to study? Makes 0 sense.
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As students who frequent the Physical Sciences Library, we would like to express our disapproval of the University's decision to close this important campus library.
The PSL may not boast the foot traffic of Olin, Mann or Uris library, but for a solid core of students, the PSL is a convenient location for quiet study and group collaboration. Clark Hall, Baker Labs and Rockefeller Hall represent an island science complex isolated from the campus at large by hills, parking lots, and a massive construction site. The PSL remains our only large, comfortable, quiet study environment for the students who practically live in this complex.
We understand the cuts need to come from somewhere, but we see this decision as a direct assault on the undergraduate population of the physical sciences. Researchers, faculty, and students will find the diffusion of the libraries book collection more than just a minor inconvenience, as it houses an exclusive collection of course reserves and references that the physical sciences population finds invaluable. Eliminating public computers and a primary quiet study space from the complex will have major negative consequences for the undergraduates. We are serious students grateful for the resources we've been afforded, but this decision has left us wondering if the university views our presence on campus merely as a revenue stream for research and institutional aggrandizement.
The lack of communication throughout the university regarding this closure also has us very concerned. No one, including students working at the PSL, was made aware of this decision until a Sun reporter came through last night asking for our personal reactions. Most of us were still unaware of this decision until we glanced at the Sun today. No explanation of the costs involved was given to us, nor was there any attempt to explain why this particular library branch was so vulnerable to cuts. What a terrible way to go about making these decisions.
In the future, we would appreciate a voice in these decisions that directly affect us. We are well aware of the financial constraints of the University, but back-door deals and hushed decision making is not the sort of conduct we expect from a world class research institution.
I spent all morning walking through the stacks and it is heartbreaking to think about these shelves being cleared out. Most of you have been sending me messages about how essential this quiet space is for your late nights in the lab and I am compiling those stories to show the administration exactly what they are taking away.
March 25, 2009
Seeing this much support confirms that I am not the only one who feels abandoned by this move. It validates the quiet nights we spent in those stacks and proves our community values the space we built there.
Reached 100 supporters
March 25, 2009
6 Comments
M
Mike Lee
17 years ago
Featured
Ridiculous decision. We spend all our time in Clark and now we have to trek across campus just to find a desk? Fix this.
S
Sarah Brooks
17 years ago
Featured
This library is literally the only place I can actually get work done between labs. Please dont take this away from us.
D
David Petersen
17 years ago
Featured
The administration is totally out of touch with what we actually need. Stop cutting the basics.
J
Jessica Newman
17 years ago
Featured
so many late nights spent here. its quiet and perfect for studying for pchem. keep it open!!
J
Jason Okafor
17 years ago
Featured
bad choice. leave the psl alone.
E
Emily Carter
17 years ago
Featured
I dont get it. They build all this construction and then close the one place we have to study? Makes 0 sense.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach
500 signatures.
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Couldn't copy automatically. Long-press to copy:
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By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ridiculous decision. We spend all our time in Clark and now we have to trek across campus just to find a desk? Fix this.